As you may have thought there is a difference, but not only that, there is a huge value in the long run to have a controlled and regulated drying process instead of the alternatives. These alternatives which can include air-drying or completely voiding the process all together and installing green, wet cedar outside as a siding, or as a fence panels will yield different results every time.

Being able to expect the same look or product in a years time when it has had a chance to be baked by the sun for months, or else soak up a ton of water from the rains that we get in our region is a farce. It will twist, warp, and split as the water wood see’s direct hot sunlight, or dry and then expand when the rains come. The moisture content of the wood you use will directly affect the usability and the end product, it will greatly increase or decrease the stain’s lifetime on said material. The more moisture content in said wood, the greater the dilution you will get in your applied stain taking away it’s potency and even voiding your warranty.

To go with a cedar product that has been kiln dried to 11% moisture content still gives you the workability as cedar remains a softwood even when dry. In older homes I have renovated and worked on, it is quite hard to drive screw’s through old dry Douglas fir, but the opposite is true with old dry cedar. This kiln dried cedar may take a period to acclimatize with the outside air, or inside moisture levels respectively, but it will be a far better product to work with. It is generally a more uniform product and the workability with stains and paints is far greater as there is no moisture to speak, the grain of the wood is better suited to accept stains at this point rather than the wet alternative.

You will loose some of the cedar’s natural “red” color when you kiln dry the stock, however the use of stains will generate your desired color back and often with the uniform tone difference that you want in a stained wood. I love working with kiln dried cedar, it’s extremely light which is great when working overhead with it.